I made it through the Dragon without any problem, Not really a problem IMO. You can always strap the stock seat on the back and swap it out when you get there.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bungie4

Thousands of pinholes for water to get through. I ordered mine with the half-moon stitching for precisely this reason. The least number of holes through the cover. Looks gooder to

I've been caught in two downpours, wearing an Aerostitch, and both me and the seat dried out with a problem. Didn't notice the seat suffered any more than I did. I never had it be wet after a washing either.

From the Russell site;

Rain covers are advised for all seat cover choices, including all vinyl, since the sewing machine needle holes render them less than 100% waterproof. Our rain covers are made from double coated nylon with little or no stitching except where the bungee cord is sewn into the perimeter. They are sized amply for a loose, wrinkle free fit.

I've been caught in two downpours, wearing an Aerostitch, and both me and the seat dried out with a problem. Didn't notice the seat suffered any more than I did. I never had it be wet after a washing either.

From the Russell site;

Rain covers are advised for all seat cover choices, including all vinyl, since the sewing machine needle holes render them less than 100% waterproof. Our rain covers are made from double coated nylon with little or no stitching except where the bungee cord is sewn into the perimeter. They are sized amply for a loose, wrinkle free fit.

The ONLY time I'm uncomfortable on my Day Long is when the cover is on. Guess their something to be said for leathers ability to breath (I wear the same gear with liners in whether it's raining or not - It's not my gear making me uncomfortable).

Oh, speaking of gear, I wear Motoport Kevlar which is well known to be abrasive. It IS doing a number on the piping on my seat.

As far as hanging off with the Day Long, it's mostly an upper body thing. (From my Lee Parks class)

__________________
-Steve

2013 FJR1300, 2004 FJR1300, 2013 CRF250L
I have a job, I explore, I follow every little whiff.
On/Offroad help when you need it - http://www.assistancelist.com

The ONLY time I'm uncomfortable on my Day Long is when the cover is on. Guess their something to be said for leathers ability to breath (I wear the same gear with liners in whether it's raining or not - It's not my gear making me uncomfortable).

Oh, speaking of gear, I wear Motoport Kevlar which is well known to be abrasive. It IS doing a number on the piping on my seat.

As far as hanging off with the Day Long, it's mostly an upper body thing. (From my Lee Parks class)

I test rode a used FJR 1300 (about 25K miles) and a new Honda 2010 ST 1300. The ST was by far more comfortable, better throttle response, better wind protection, less vibration at 80-85 mph.

Is this the general consensus on comparing these two bikes? I am really looking for an Sport Tourer with long legs as I will be traveling frequently from TX to TN.

Most of my riding experience is off-road on KTMs, or on-road on a GS, and I would like to spend less than 10K.

I personally belive the FJR is "comfy" enough while offering a more sporting ride. Others might like the more comfy ST. You will have to figure where your wants reside but honestly, I don't think you would go radically wrong with either one as both will match the "wants" you listed. Having rode both, the Honda is the smoother of the two but the rest of those wants are pretty much equal.

I test rode a used FJR 1300 (about 25K miles) and a new Honda 2010 ST 1300. The ST was by far more comfortable, better throttle response, better wind protection, less vibration at 80-85 mph.

Most comparison tests in the magazines rates these two bikes as six-for-one/half-dozen-for-the other. That doesn't mean any individual rider won't find one or the other much superior, but most riders consider these two bikes as pretty close in the things you mention, perhaps giving the nod to the Honda for comfort and the nod to the FJR for performance/handling. The Honda also has come under heavy criticism at times for high speed handling issues and blistering cockpit heat. The FJR mostly solved its heat problems with the 2006 revision. I thought the ST13 high-speed weave problem was internet legend until I rode two different examples a few years back - both had super-spooky handling above 100 mph. For this reason, I'd never own one.

The fact one bike had 25K and the other was new might have something to do with it too. I rented a 25K-mile FJR one time and found that it has much more vibration than my 20K FJR at home. Otherwise, it seemed the same, but the higher vibration levels really detracted from the ride.

Had an FJR for 4 1/2 years , handle bar vibes were always there. How about an ST1100 ??

ST1100's have a gentle rumble, but like most V4's, it doesn't ever seem to intrude or get "gritty" like some inline-four vibes can get.

By today's standards, ST1100's are down on horsepower and have cumbersome handling, but for the five years I owned mine, I thought it was almost total perfection in a large sport-touring rig. The ST13's never appealed to me nearly as much.

A K75S fits all the requirements of HickonaCrick's criteria. Easy 40+ mpg at 80. I got (50-53 at 70+). Hard bags, ABS, decent wind protection, essentially zero vibration. Get the K75C bars, a new shock, fork springs, maybe a different seat and you're set. Easily saving $5k or more over to $10k budget. Caveat: Forget it if you're going to ride two up.

A K75S fits all the requirements of HickonaCrick's criteria. Easy 40+ mpg at 80. I got (50-53 at 70+). Hard bags, ABS, decent wind protection, essentially zero vibration. Get the K75C bars, a new shock, fork springs, maybe a different seat and you're set. Easily saving $5k or more over to $10k budget. Caveat: Forget it if you're going to ride two up.

+1 on the K75. A great bike for when the weather is too hot for the FJR.

This is my Dad's bike and I have the above listed additions you listed sitting in my garage along with the stock "C" model setup.

One day I'll talk him out of it.
(It's actually smoother than the FJR, just lacks the thrust of a jet fighter)